How are ‘polls’ conducted in India?
Answer:
- The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast their votes in a polling booth. That day is usually called the Election Day.
- Every person whose name is on the voters’ list can go to a nearby ‘polling booth’, situated usually in a local school or a government office.
- Once the voter goes inside the booth, the election officials identify him or her by putting a mark on his or her finger and allow him or her to cast the vote.
- An agent of each candidate is allowed to sit inside the polling booth and ensure that the voting takes place in a fair way.
- A ballot paper is placed in which the names of the contesting candidates along with their party name and symbols are listed.
- Nowadays, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used to record votes.
- The machine shows the names of the candidates and party symbols. Independent candidates too have their own symbols, allotted by the election officials.
- Each voter has to press the button against the name of the candidate she or he wants to vote for.